Apparatus and method for forming cycindrical containers



Jan. 28, 1969 w. GEISLER A 3,424,069

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING CYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS Filed May 4,1967 Sheet 4 of4 INVENTOR WILLIAM GEISLER 9 ATTORNEYS Jan. 28, 1969 .w,GEISLER 3,424,069

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING CYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS Filed May 4,1967 Sheet 2 of 4 INVENTOR. WILLIAM 7GEISLER w g z ATTQRNEYS Jan. 28,1969 w. GEISLER 3,424,069

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING CYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS FiiedMay l, 1967Sheet 3 of4 INVENIOR, WILLIAM eErsLR FlG 9 BY ug 7M,

ATTORNEYS Jan. 28, 1969 w. GEISLER 3,424,069

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING- CYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS Filed Ma '4,1967 Sheet 4 of 4 POWER I T SUPPLY S2 INVENTOR: WILLIAM GEISLERATTORNEIS United States Patent 4 Claims Int. Cl. B31c 1/06; B31b /02ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Flattened, tubular container blanks arestacked ina magazine and individually fed into a cylindrical formingchamber by a reciprocal blade member. Suction cups grasp opposed panelsof the blank to partially open same in the chamber. A plunger thenpushes the blank onto a cylindrical mandrel after the suction cups havebeen released therefrom.

Cross-reference to related applications The apparatus and method hereindisclosed are particularly adapted for forming cylindrical containersout of the type of container blanks disclosed in applicants copendingU.S. application Ser. No. 548,123, filed May 6, 1966.

Background of the invention The highly competitive art of packaging icecream and like commodities dictates the need for an apparatus and methodwhereby a container blank may be expeditiously formed at a minimalexpense. Unique packaging problems are presented with respect to thepackaging of such commodities in a cylindrically shaped container. Inparticular, the containers are generally shipped to the packaging plantin a flattened, tubular condition and must be thereafter expeditiouslyformed into a cylinder and filled.

A conventional apparatus for making such cylindrical containers isdisclosed in applicants U.S. Patent No. 3,103,857. Apparatus of thistype are sometimes unreliable in that slight misalignment of the tubularblank in a forming chamber thereof will oftentimes cause the panels ofthe blank to bend in the same direction rather than spread apart to anopen position. Thus, steady flow of finished containers is interrupted,resulting in undesirable machine shutdown time and the like.

Summary of the invention 'Ilhis invention provides for the expeditiousand economical formation of tubular containers out of a stack offlattened blanks. In the preferredapparatus embodiment, the blanks areindividually fed into a cylindrically shaped forming chamber and graspedon opposite sides thereof, preferably by suction cups. Such anarrangement insures that the blank will open in a precise manner priorto its discharge onto a cylindrically shaped mandrel. The suction cupsare preferably reciprocally mounted in the apparatus so that they may bemoved selectively away from or towards each other to perform theabove-mentioned blank opening function. Cam means are preferablyarnanged to separate the cups from each other whereas spring means areemployed to urge the cups towards each other.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a top plan view illustratingthe preferred apparatus embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus taken in thedirection of arrows 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrows 3-3 Patented Jan. 28,1969 in FIG. 1, particularly illustrating a suction cup arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view taken in the direction of arrows 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 1, but disclosing theapparatus in a different mode of operation;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 taken in thedirection of arrows 66 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 4, schematically andprogressively illustrating a series of cam follower arrangements;

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a control circuit which may be employedin the apparatus of this invention; and

FIG. 9 is a series of schematic views illustrating preferred steps forcarrying forth the method of this invention.

Description of the preferred apparatus embodiment Referring to FIGS. 1and 2, the preferred apparatus embodiment of this invention comprises aconventional container magazine 10 arranged to retain a stack offiattened, tubular container blanks C therein. Each container is adaptedto be fed laterally, relative to the longitudinal axis of the magazine,and positioned in a cylindricallyshaped chamber defined by a housing 11.In the magazine, the blanks are pressed forwardly in a conventionalmanner (by suitably arranged 'weight means or the like, not shown)against a front Wall 12 thereof to facilitate such progressive feedingfunction. In particular, the forward-most blank abutting such wall maybe moved leftwardly, through a slot 13 formed through a side wallportion of housing 11, by feeding means, preferably in the form of areciprocal blade 14. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the blade and slot aresubstantially aligned to achieve this function.

An actuating means, comprising pneumatic or hydraulic ram 15 having areciprocal rod 16, is operatively associated with blade 14 toreciprocate the blade in the above described manner. In particular, thepiston rod is attached to a bracket 17, the bracket in turn beingdetach- Iably secured to a reciprocal rod 18. Brackets 19 and 20 aredetachably secured to rod 18 and are slidably mounted on stationary rods21 and 22, secured to upstanding stationary brackets 23 and 24. Blade 14is attached to free ends of brackets 19 and 20 by suitable securingmeans such as bolts or the like. From the above description, it can beseen that leftward movement of piston rod 16 will function to movebracket 17, rod 18, brackets 19 and 20 and blade 14 in a like direction.

Reciprocal rod 18 has collars 25 and 26- (FIG. 2) adjustably mounted andarranged thereon for simultaneously actuating a suction cup arangementin response to reciprocation of piston rod 16 of the actuating means.The vacuum cup arangement comprises a base 27, slidably mounted on rods18, 28, and 29; rods 28 and 29 being secured between stationary brackets24 and 30. Bracket 30 has an aperture or slot 31 formed therein topermit the left end of rod 18 and collar 26 to move therethrough inapplications wherein the rod travels to that extent. Bracket 30 furthercomprises an upstanding portion having a first cam plate 32 detachablysecured thereto which terminates in a tapered free edge portion 33positioned adjacent to and above housing 11.

Referring once again to the vacuum cup arrangement in FIGS. 2 and 3,base 27 has an upstanding plate 34 secured thereto and preferablyarranged to carry a conventional clamping arrangement 35 thereon. Theclamping arrangement secures a shaft or rod 36 thereto, arranged toreciprocably mount vacuum cup holding brackets 37 and 38 thereon.Collars 39 and 40 are releasably attached to the rod and function topermit springs 41 and 42, re-

spectively, to bias brackets 37 and 38 towards each other underpredetermined forces.

Opening means, preferably conventional vacuum cups 43 and 44, areattached to the respective brackets for purposes of grasping andseparating container panel portions arranged therebetween during thecontainer forming operation. The vacuum cups may each comprise aflexible rubber cup arranged to form a closed chamber therein adapted tobe subjected to a vacuum, i.e., a pressure substantially below 14.7p.s.i., by means of flexible conduits 45 and 46 of a vacuum source (notshown). It should be understood that such opening means could constituteother forms, such as pivoted finger-like elements suitably arranged toforce opposite panel portions of blank C apart at top edges thereof.Also such opening means could constitute a thin blade arranged to beinserted between the opposed panel portions and rotated to spread themapart.

Bracket members 37 and 38 also have cam followers or rollers 47 and 48,respectively, rotatably mounted thereon. As clearly illustrated in FIGS.3 and 7, the cam rollers are normally arranged to engage opposite andsubstantially parallel edges of a second cam plate 49. The cam platesubstantially lies in the same plane as first cam plate 32 andterminates in a tapered free edge portion 50 having opposite edgesarranged to converge towards the first cam plate. Thus, it can be seenthat when rods 16 and 18 are moved leftwardly in FIGS. 1 and 2, thatcollar 25 will engage base 27 to move the suction cup arrangementleftwardly. When rollers 47 and 48 ride off the parallel edges of camplate 49, and onto the tapered edges thereof (FIG. 7), cups 43 and 44will move towards each other under the influence of springs 41 and 42,respectively. Thus, container C will be grasped at opposed panelportions thereof whereafter continued movement of rollers 47 and 48 ontotapered portion 33 of cam plate 32 will function to move the cups apartto open the container.

As will be hereinafter more fully explained, a pneumatic or hydraulicram 51 will then function to extend a piston rod 52 thereof to move acylindrically-shaped pressure plate 53 against the top edge of thecontainer. Full extension of rod 52 will function to move the partiallyformed container out of the housing 11 and onto an aligned mandrel 54.As more clearly illustrated in FIG. 4, the pressure plate has a slot 55formed therein, arranged to permit the pressure plate to move past camplate 32 in the above-described manner.

Applicants above-mentioned US. Patent No. 3,103,857 may be referred tofor its disclosure of the specific constructions and arrangements ofcorresponding structures. It should be noted, for example, that thepreferred apparatus embodiment may be modified to initially open blank Cby a reaction member such as assist plug 205 of the appartus disclosedin the above patent, i.e., the suction cup arrangement would not beused. Such modification could be made when the suction cup arrangementis removed from the machine for repair or like purposes. Thus, it willbe seen that it is not necessary to employ the above-describe preferredapparatus embodiment of this invention to carry out the hereinafterdescribed method, i.e., the apparatus may be used for other purposes.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a control circuit which may be employedin the above-described apparatus. When piston rod 52 of ram 51 isretracted to its FIGS. 2 and 8 position, a switch S is mechanicallyclosed. The apparatus is placed in operation by closing a switch Seither manually or preferably by means of a conventional timing cam (notshown). The power supply thereby activates a solenoid actuated valve Vwhich is suitably arranged in the manner shown to extend piston rod 16of double-acting ram 15.

Extension or rod 16 will move blade 14 to feed a container blank in theabove-described manner. Upon a predetermined extension or rod 16, aswitch S will close whereafter the above mentioned timing cam will closea switch S Thus, a second solenoid actuated valve V is activated by thepower supply to extend rod and pressure plate 53 of double-acting ram 51to push the blank onto mandrel 54 (FIG. 2). Upon full extension of rod52, a switch S closes to activate valve V to return ram 51 to its FIG. 8position and to again close switch S The timing cam will then close aswitch S to retract ram 15 to its FIG. 8 position to ready the apparatusfor another operation.

It should be understood that the above, briefly described constructionsand arrangements would be somewhat more sophisticated in actualapplication. For example, the switches could be spring-loaded to returnthem to an open position subsequent to a closing thereof. The fluidinput to the valves could comprise air or other suitable hydraulicfluid.

Description of the preferred method FIG. 9 illustrates a preferredmethod for forming container blank C into a cylinder or other tubularstructure. Although the method is preferably carried out on the type ofapparatus described above, it should be understood that such methodcould be practiced by other types of apparatus or even by suitable handtools.

The first step of such method comprises retaining a plurality of thefolded and flattened blanks C in stacked relationship in magazine 10,for example. The preferred method is carried forth by progressivelyfeeding a forward-most blank laterally relative to a longitudinal axisof the stacked blanks and grasping opposite sides thereof to open theblank by moving the sides away from each other. The feeding step ispreferably effected by applying a first force against a first, rearwardedge of the blank.

The step of applying forces to the blank on opposite sides thereof toopen the blank preferably comprises the step of applying a vacuum tosuch opposite sides to grasp them by vacuum cups 43 and 44. It should beunderstood that such application of forces could be effectedalternatively by pivoted finger-like elements, for example, suitablyarranged to grasp the opposite sides of the blank adjacent top edgesthereof. Also, the above-mentioned twisting knife insert could also beutilized to apply the opening forces to opposite sides of the blank. Inaddition, the opening step preferably occurs when a second, forward edgeof the blank is fed more than half-way out of the carton magazine.

It can be seen that the second, forward edge of the blank engages a wallportion of housing 11 for applying a second force against such edge tooppose the above mentioned first force applied to the blanks first edgeby blade 14. Thus, such an arrangement aids vacuum cups 43 and 44 in theblank opening function. Thereafter, rod 52 and pressure plate 53 arearranged for pushing the blank onto mandrel 54 for forming the blank inconformance with the mandrels configuration. Although the blank ispreferably formed into a cylinder, it should be understood that themandrel could be shaped otherwise. For example, the mandrel couldcomprise a square or hexagonal crosssection to impart a like shape tothe blank.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for forming cylindrical containers comprising:

a carton magazine arranged to retain a stack of fiattened, tubularblanks therein,

a housing arranged adjacent to said magazine forming a cylindricalchamber therein and a slot formed through a side wall portion thereofarranged to receive one of said blanks therethrough,

feeding means arranged adjacent to said magazine for selectively feedinga blank through said slot and into said chamber, and

opening means arranged adjacent to said housing to open said blank whenit is moved into said chamber by said feeding means, said opening meanscomprising first and second spaced cam plates substantially 5 6 lying inthe same plane and mounted adjacent to said means arranged above saidchamber for pushing a housing and opposed vacuum cup means movably blankout of said chamber and onto said mandrel.

mounted in said apparatus to engage said first and then said second cammeans to sequentially move to- References Cited Wards and then away fromeach other to grasp and 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS then spread oppositesides of a blank apart. 2 780 148 2/1957 Pearson 2. The invention Ofclaim 1 further comprising act al- 2 993 314 Haveman}; ing meansoperatively associated with said feeding means 3103857 9/1963 Geislel.and opening means for feeding a blank substantially with- 3:242:8273/1966 Winters 93 53 n the confines of saldcharnber prlor to when saldopen- 10 3,293,998 12/1966 Fame, 93 53 lng means opens such blank.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said feeding means FOREIGN PATENTScomprises a blade reciprocally mounted in said appa- 1,124,799 3/ 1962Germany.

ratus and arranged in substantial alignment with respect to the slotformed in said housing. 15 WAYNE A. MORSE, JR., Pnmary Examiner.

4. The invention of claim 1 further comprising: US, Cl. X.R, a mandrelarranged below said chamber and 9339.1, 53, 94

